According to the publication, Dianne died following a short-term illness at the Christie hospital in Manchester on Thursday morning. Dianne’s husband Ian Hindle, with whom she has two children, said in a statement: “Dianne was an amazing wife and mother who embraced life to the full. “She was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her but also to the people who watched and welcomed her into their homes each night as if she were part of their family too. She will leave a massive void in our lives but because of the remarkable person she was she will forever live on in our hearts.

“The children and I will miss her more than anyone can imagine.”

BBC Breakfast stars Louise Minchin and Dan Walker have lead tributes to the weather presenter on Twitter.

She commented: “Some very sad news about one of my BBC colleagues and friends @BBCNWT Dianne was a wonderful, passionate, inspiring woman, who we will all miss terribly.

“My love and thoughts go to her husband Ian and young family. Xxx.”

Dianne was widely known as North West Tonight’s weather presenter for 24 years.

She started at the station in 1994 and fronted the Inside Out North West current affairs programme.

Before this, Dianne became nationally known on Radio 1, working alongside Simon Mayo and Steve Wright.

Since the news of her death, many of her former colleagues have flocked to social media to pay tribute.

How did Dianne Oxberry die? What was her cause of death?

Roger Johnson wrote: “We are heartbroken by Dianne’s death.

“It is impossible to comprehend. Dianne WAS North West Tonight. It’s hard to imagine the programme without her.”

Annabel Tiffin commented: “This is an enormous shock for all of us. I can scarcely believe Dianne has died.

“She was loved by our viewers, by all of us at the programme. My heart breaks for her family.”

Dianne, Roger and Annabel had only recently took part in a 100-mile relay walk for Children In Need.

The trio beamed as they posed alongside Pudsey bear ahead of their charity stint.

Aziz Rashid, the head of BBC North West, said: “For more than 20 years, viewers invited Dianne into their homes every night.

“She was a part of their lives. Just last November during our Plod for Pudsey challenge for Children in Need, Di was out meeting viewers around the region.

“I saw for myself the incredible reaction she got from the public, which showed how much people cared for her.”

BBC North West also shared a tribute to their former colleague on Twitter.

They wrote: “We have some very sad news this morning, our colleague and friend Dianne Oxberry has died after a short illness.